Question 1

Lamaism is most closely associated with the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan.

Accepted Answer

Lamaism, also known as Tibetan Buddhism, originated in Tibet and is most closely associated with the Tibetan people and culture. While there may be some adherents of Lamaism in Kazakhstan, it is not the country most closely associated with the religion.

Question 2

Of all the Central Asian countries,Afghanistan has the worst overall composite record of social indicators.

Accepted Answer

According to various international reports and indices, Afghanistan has consistently ranked as one of the least developed and poorest countries in Central Asia, with low social indicators such as low life expectancy, high infant and maternal mortality rates, low literacy rates, and limited access to basic healthcare and education. Therefore, it can be concluded that Afghanistan has the worst overall composite record of social indicators among the Central Asian countries.

Question 3

Within Central Asia,the people of Mongolia have the shortest life expectancy in the region.

Accepted Answer

Mongolia does not have the shortest life expectancy in Central Asia; countries like Afghanistan typically have lower life expectancies.

Question 4

Iran has offered itself as a model secular state for Central Asian republics to emulate.

Accepted Answer

Turkey

Question 5

The Taliban was founded by an ethnic minority in Afghanistan.

Accepted Answer

The Taliban was founded by Pashtun students predominantly from Kandahar, who are part of a majority ethnic group in Afghanistan.

Question 6

The Russian invasion of Afghanistan was ultimately unsuccessful.

Accepted Answer

The Russian invasion of Afghanistan lasted from 1979 to 1989 and ultimately ended in their defeat and withdrawal from the country. The conflict resulted in heavy casualties and significant damage to both Afghanistan and the Soviet Union, contributing to the eventual collapse of the Soviet government in 1991.

Question 7

The status of women in Turkmenistan is the lowest in Central Asia.

Accepted Answer

Afghanistan

Question 8

The Chinese have allowed many Buddhist monasteries to open,but their activities are severely limited.

Accepted Answer

While China does allow many Buddhist monasteries to operate, their activities are heavily restricted and monitored by the government.

Question 9

Railroads must be constructed before the oil wealth of Central Asia can become economically viable.

Accepted Answer

Pipelines

Question 10

Uzbekistan had the lowest female labor force participation in Central Asia in 2002.

Accepted Answer

Afghanistan

Question 11

Russian and Chinese leaders became concerned about the growing influence of the United States in Central Asia after the U.S.military established bases in Uzbekistan,Kyrgyzstan,and Afghanistan following the attacks of September 11,2001.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Both Russian and Chinese leaders expressed concerns about the growing U.S. presence in Central Asia after the events of 9/11.

Question 12

Kazakhstan is the most developed country in Central Asia.

Accepted Answer

According to various rankings and indices, Kazakhstan is considered the most developed country in Central Asia. It has a relatively stable economy, strong infrastructure, and a diverse natural resource base.

Question 13

Afghanistan's strongest global link is through the opium it supplies to the world market.

Accepted Answer

Afghanistan is known as the world's largest producer of opium, which is used to make heroin and other illegal drugs. This illegal drug trade significantly contributes to the country's economy and has been a major source of funding for militant groups in the region. As a result, Afghanistan's strongest global link is through the opium it supplies to the world market.

Question 14

In the 1970s,the common language of Central Asia was Russian.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Russian was the common language of Central Asia during the Soviet era, which lasted until the early 1990s.

Question 15

The topography of Tibet is very complex,containing many steep canyons and lofty ridges.

Accepted Answer

The topography of Tibet is indeed very complex, containing many steep canyons and lofty ridges.

Question 16

The countries in Central Asia with relatively high levels of health and education were part of the former Soviet Union.

Accepted Answer

During the Soviet era, central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan had high levels of health and education due to Soviet investment in social welfare programs. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, these countries faced significant economic and social challenges that have impacted their health and education outcomes.

Question 17

Pakistan provided the strongest support for the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Accepted Answer

Pakistan provided significant support to the Taliban during their rule in Afghanistan and even after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, with some elements of the Pakistani government and military still believed to support the group.

Question 18

The Dalai Lama is the religious and political leader of Tibet.

Accepted Answer

The Dalai Lama is traditionally the religious and political leader of Tibet, although the current Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959 due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet.

Question 19

Turkmenistan will soon begin to export large quantities of natural gas.

Accepted Answer

Turkmenistan is one of the world's largest producers of natural gas and exports large quantities of it to China and Russia.

Question 20

In the nineteenth century,Turkey began to displace China from Central Asia.

Accepted Answer

In the nineteenth century, China was still the dominant power in Central Asia, while Turkey (the Ottoman Empire) faced its own internal struggles and declining influence in the region. It was not until the early twentieth century that Turkey started to reassert its influence in Central Asia through cultural and economic ties.

Quiz 10: Central Asia